Sexual and Gender Minority Rights

hbs recently partnered with Sauti Sessions and Baraza Media Lab to spotlight the growing crisis of Technologically Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) in Kenya. Though it happens online, its impacts are deeply offline, fueling harm, trauma, and in some cases escalating to femicide. As the world marks the 2025 16 Days of Activism under the theme “UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls,” the dialogue underscored the urgent need for stronger protections and safer digital spaces for women and girls.

The Heinrich Böll Foundation (hbs) Nairobi, in partnership with the Initiative for Equality and Non-Discrimination (INEND), has released a new publication titled Reshaping Narratives: Media Engagement Strategies for LGBTIQ+ Persons in Kenya. The report examines how the Kenyan media portrays sexual and gender minorities and explores practical strategies for fostering more inclusive, accurate, and ethical reporting. By combining community insights, journalist perspectives, and media analysis, the study highlights both the progress made and the ongoing challenges in ensuring fair representation, dignity, and equality for LGBTIQ+ persons in Kenya.

Discourse on sexual and gender minorities’ rights is often flooded with misinformation, particularly from its critics. This is evident through the perpetuation of misleading narratives, such as the description of queerness as going against African culture

In March, the world marked International Women's Day 2025 under the banner #AccelerateAction. Kenya is pivotal in its journey toward gender democracy, but several strides on gender justice and equality remain a mirage.  Heinrich Boell Foundation, Nairobi took stock of its work in partnership with several grassroots and national organizations to spotlight the ongoing struggle through a powerful documentary titled "Feminist Resilience: What Does it mean for Justice and Democracy?" amid global crises, shrinking civic space, and shifting funding priorities.

Despite increasing awareness, the LGBTQ+ community in Kenya faces significant legal, social, and cultural challenges that restrict their access to essential services such as sexual and reproductive healthcare. This article by Enosh Abuya, Executive Director, The Eagles for Life Kenya (TEFL-K) underscores the vital role higher education institutions play in promoting human rights, particularly in regard to sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression (SOGIE) rights.

On July 25th, 2024, the Heinrich Böll Foundation in partnership with the Young Women's Leadership Institute (YWLI) hosted a pivotal Gender Forum at the Heinrich Böll Foundation's Nairobi office to raise raising awareness about femicide in Kenya

On May 17, 2024, INEND celebrated the groundbreaking of their Forever Home in Shanzu, Mombasa. This new centre symbolises a brighter, more inclusive future for the LGBTQ community. As a long-serving partner at Heinrich Boell Foundation, Nairobi, we were honoured to be part of this significant milestone

A few weeks ago, we organized the inaugural Gender Forum to coincide with International Women's Month. In collaboration with Aduda Hera, a talented actress, producer, and filmmaker, we screened the poignant short film "Shee." This film delves into the intricacies of love, trust, and communication within a same-sex relationship. Aduda, the creative force behind the film, shared her motivations and insights into sparking meaningful conversations beyond mere storytelling.

“Feminism in Pictures” is the result of a collaboration with seven incredible feminist illustrators from Brazil, Iran, India, Georgia, Pakistan, Turkiye, and Kenya for the Global Feminist Pitch 2023. These graphic novels are evidence of the continuing streams of feminist resistance and resilience in diverse global contexts.

Only 24% representation in national politics, less than 10% as student body presidents. Badili Africa, in collaboration with Heinrich Boll Foundation, tackles this gap, focusing on sexual harassment's role in hindering female leadership. Their partnership with JKUAT aims to revamp sexual harassment policies, shedding light on gaps and proposing solutions. From dissecting SGBV terminology to addressing emerging e-violence, they navigate complexities, emphasizing consent's paramount role. The call to action includes holistic awareness campaigns, annual training, gender desks, investigation committees, and supporting victims in creating safe spaces.